Chelsea are planning to leave their base Stamford Bridge while exploring options to shift to a larger stadium. The current venue has a capacity of 40,343 and the owners of the London-based club want to increase the number. As they find it difficult to revamp Stamford Bridge, the management has decided to move to Earl’s Court in West London.
According to a Guardian report, Chelsea have already held talks with one of the partners of the site, Transport for London (TFL), and a real estate developer, Delancey.
As of now, the Earl’s Court Development Committee (ECDC) has plans to build a multi-purpose development at the proposed site and no football stadium is not part of their project. The authority will submit the master plan to the Hammersmith and Fulham Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council next week.
The ECDC is allowed to move forward only after the project plans get a seal of approval. Chelsea are understood to have already chalked out their plans. The club wants to construct a stadium at the Lillie Bridge depot.
A spokesperson of the ECDC, however, revealed to The Guardian, “There is no plan within our plans for Chelsea FC to relocate to the Earl’s Court site. We have a fully detailed design, shortly to be registered with both local authorities, which prioritises the delivery of thousands of homes and jobs, culture and open space through a well-designed and considered master plan which has evolved over four years of engagement.”
Chelsea chief executive Jason Gannon has been in talks with TFL and Decancey, discussing the possibility of the project. They will also need to convince Chelsea Pitch Owners, which holds the ownership of the Stamford Bridge stadium and has the rights to stop the club from moving to a new venue.
To acquire the site at Earl’s Court, Chelsea will be required to submit a bid and its estimated value can be around £500 million, the reported added. The hefty amount may not be a stumbling block as the club hierarchy prioritises building one of the biggest stadiums in England.
Chelsea could have considered redeveloping Stamford Bridge as well. To make that happen, they will need to play at a temporary home ground for several years.
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